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Lawmakers back small business health plan
Posted: 01.15.2009 at 12:05 PM
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DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Key Iowa legislators say they'll back a measure allowing workers at small businesses, local governments and nonprofit groups to buy into the health care system covering state workers.
Sen. Jack Hatch of Des Moines says if approved, the measure would help small businesses compete.
Speaking Thursday at a Statehouse news conference, Hatch acknowledged that in the past, many business owners resisted efforts to expand health care coverage. But Hatch, a Democrat, says they're changing their minds as costs continue to climb.
The plan is still being developed, but Hatch says it's being modeled after one approved in Connecticut. He says Gov. Chet Culver has promised to support the measure.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)